State Machines > Open call

State Machines is a programme of activities devoted to the investigation of new relationships between states, citizens and the stateless made possible by emerging technologies. Focussing on how such technologies impact identity and citizenship, digital labour and finance, the project joins five experienced partners: Aksioma (Slovenia), Drugomore (Croatia), Furtherfield (UK), Institute of Network Cultures (Netherlands) and NeMe (Cyprus) together with a range of artists, curators, theorists and audiences.

Every time a smartphone powers up, their user is tied inextricably into data, laws and flowing bytes to different countries. Their every personal expression is framed and mediated by digital platforms which now include those operating new kinds of currencies, financial exchange, and labour relations that bypass corporations and governments.

Meanwhile these same technologies increase governmental powers of surveillance, allow corporations to extract ever more complex working arrangements, and, although seemingly the epitome of globalization, they do little to slow the construction of actual walls along actual borders.

The organisers ask how might the digital subjects of today become active, engaged, and effective digital citizens of tomorrow?

The organisers are interested in works that explore shifts in agency towards individuals, groups and commons from nation states and private companies. We invite proposals that draw on first-hand experiences in:

– efforts and actions that resist new enclosures and preserve mobilities, freedom of assembly and other hard-won rights

– shifting techniques for controls and flows of information and finance by governments, private companies and individuals;

– public deliberation and free speech in social media – algorithmic and human corruption and its counterforces;

– new tools and data for wrangling the personal and political impacts of cloud computing

The call is open to European artists, technologists, activists, inventors and individuals, groups and hybrid human- artificial intelligence collaborations.

They are interested in all art forms and actions that can be encountered and experienced across networks, online and in physical exhibition. they welcome diverse viewpoints, experimental and playful approaches.

Support:

1. State Machines will support the production of the selected proposal with 5.000 € towards fees and production costs.

2. State Machines will assist in all phases of the production process.

3. The final project will be exhibited in at least two offline and one online exhibition during 2018 & 2019.

4. Depending on the nature of the project, State Machines will be excited to present and distribute the new project through partners’ channels and communication networks.